Local sports bar owners expect decline in revenue this year

SPRINGFIELD – There’s a feeling in the air this October around Springfield, and it’s not just the fall air. For the first time since 2010, neither the St. Louis Cardinals, Nor the Kansas City Royals are in the playoffs.

“This year, with the teams both not doing as well as they normally do, missing the playoffs, I don’t see as many people in here, and i get that,” said Ryan Clark, manager of Harbells Sports Bar.

Sports bars with a reputation for playoff baseball are likely to see a decline in business this October.

“We’ve kind of always been known as the local downtown place to catch games,” explained Clark.

Harbell’s has actually never known an October without a Missouri baseball team in the playoffs.

“Since we opened, either the Cardinals or the Royals make it to the playoffs, and they go pretty far.”

Success on both the Cardinals and Royals parts have helped Harbells open, and stay open.

“It was a good time for us to open up the last five years because both Missouri teams have done really well. I think it is going to affect us this year,” said Clark.

Local sports bars are hoping the Cheifs and the upcoming hockey season will help ease the “October blues.”